How to Make Delicious Homemade Eggnog for Christmas

There are some Christmas traditions that feel as timeless as fairy lights, mince pies, and watching the tree twinkle on a frosty evening. 

Eggnog is one of them. This luxurious, gently spiced festive drink has been enjoyed for centuries, and making it at home is far easier than many people imagine. 

Rich, velvety, and wonderfully warming, it’s the perfect treat for holiday gatherings, or for sipping quietly while wrapping presents.

Here’s how to create a batch of truly delicious homemade eggnog, tailored for the British kitchen.

Why Make Eggnog at Home?

Shop-bought eggnog is somewhat difficult to find in the UK, and when you do see it, it’s often overly sweet or lacking the silky richness people expect. Making your own allows you to:

Control the sweetness

Choose your spices

Use high-quality British cream and milk

Serve it alcohol-free or spiked

Create a show-stopping festive drink for guests

Plus, it fills your kitchen with a gorgeous aroma of nutmeg and vanilla, instantly Christmassy!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Most of these ingredients are already in the average Christmas kitchen:

4 fresh egg yolks

100g caster sugar

500ml whole milk

250ml double cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp ground nutmeg (plus extra to garnish)

Optional: 60ml dark rum, brandy, or bourbon

If you’d prefer to make a fully pasteurised version, you can gently cook the mixture—details below.

How to Make Traditional Eggnog

1. Whisk the yolks

In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until thick, pale, and creamy. This gives the finished eggnog its signature smoothness.

2. Warm the milk

In a saucepan, gently heat the milk, double cream, vanilla, and nutmeg until steaming but not boiling.

3. Temper the eggs

Pour a small amount of the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This prevents curdling. Gradually add the rest until fully combined.

4. (Optional) Cook for pasteurised eggnog

Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and heat gently, stirring continuously, until it thickens slightly and reaches 71°C. Do not boil.

Remove from the heat immediately.

5. Add alcohol (optional)

If you’re making a grown-up version, stir in rum, brandy, or bourbon.

6. Chill

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Eggnog is best served icy cold with a dusting of nutmeg.

Alcohol-Free Eggnog for the Whole Family

Eggnog doesn’t need alcohol to be delicious. Omit the spirits and serve the chilled drink with:

A cinnamon stick

A swirl of lightly whipped cream

A sprinkle of nutmeg or cocoa

It becomes a cosy, custardy festive treat suitable for children and adults alike.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in glass mugs topped with freshly grated nutmeg

Add a splash of coffee for a “Christmas latte” twist

Pour into a festive jug for the Christmas breakfast table

Use leftover eggnog in French toast or bread-and-butter pudding

How Long Does Homemade Eggnog Keep?

If cooked to the safe 71°C and stored in a sealed container in the fridge, eggnog will keep for 2–3 days.

The uncooked version should be consumed within 24 hours.

Make Eggnog Part of Your Christmas Tradition

Homemade eggnog feels like a small luxury in the heart of winter, a creamy hug in a glass. Whether you enjoy it fireside, serve it to friends on Christmas Eve, or use it to add flair to your seasonal bakes, it’s a festive ritual worth bringing into your own home.

Christmas Drinks: Mulled Wine, Eggnog, and Other Festive Favourites

Christmas is a time for indulgence, celebration, and of course, delicious festive drinks to keep the chill at bay.

As the cold winds blow and twinkling lights adorn our homes, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a warm mug or glass brimming with seasonal flavours.

From the traditional mulled wine to creamy eggnog, these drinks are perfect for adding a bit of warmth and cheer to your holiday season. 

Here are some classic recipes and a few twists on festive favourites to try this Christmas.

1. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a quintessential Christmas drink that’s popular across Europe, and for good reason. This warm, spiced red wine, infused with seasonal aromas, is the perfect antidote to winter’s cold.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of red wine (a fruity one like Merlot or Shiraz works well)

1 orange, sliced

2 cinnamon sticks

4 cloves

3 star anise

2 tablespoons honey or sugar (adjust to taste)

60ml brandy (optional but adds a nice kick)

A pinch of nutmeg

Fresh cranberries (for garnish)

Method:

Pour the wine into a large saucepan and add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.

Heat gently, making sure the wine doesn’t boil. You want it to simmer slowly to allow the spices to infuse.

Add the honey or sugar, stirring until dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.

Stir in the brandy, if using, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Simmer for about 20 minutes, then remove from the heat. Strain out the spices before serving.

Garnish with fresh cranberries or a cinnamon stick in each glass.

Pro tip: If you’re making mulled wine for a gathering, use a slow cooker to keep it warm throughout the evening.

2. Eggnog

Eggnog is a rich, creamy drink traditionally enjoyed during Christmas. Its comforting, velvety texture and the gentle warmth of nutmeg make it a festive favourite. While it’s more commonly associated with the US, it’s gaining popularity in the UK as well.

Ingredients:

500ml whole milk

250ml double cream

3 large eggs

100g caster sugar

100ml rum, brandy, or bourbon (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grated nutmeg (for garnish)

Method:

Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy.

In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and cream over a low heat until warm (don’t let it boil).

Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the eggs, whisking continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs.

Return the mixture to the pan and heat gently until it thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and alcohol, if using.

Chill in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavours meld.

Serve cold, with a sprinkle of grated nutmeg on top.

Pro tip: For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the rum or brandy. You can also add a dash of vanilla syrup for extra sweetness.

3. Hot Chocolate with a Festive Twist

Nothing says cosy quite like a steaming mug of hot chocolate. But this isn’t your standard cocoa. We’re elevating it with Christmas spices and a dash of liqueur to bring some festive flair.

Ingredients:

500ml whole milk

100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise

50ml Baileys, Amaretto, or spiced rum (optional)

Whipped cream and marshmallows (for topping)

Grated chocolate or a pinch of ground cinnamon (for garnish)

Method:

Heat the milk in a saucepan over low heat, then add the cinnamon stick and star anise to infuse the milk with festive flavours.

Once the milk is warm, remove the spices and stir in the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder until melted and smooth.

Add sugar to taste, if desired, and continue to stir until the hot chocolate is thick and creamy.

Remove from the heat and stir in your choice of liqueur, if using.

Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkle of grated chocolate or cinnamon.

Pro tip: For a dairy-free version, use almond or oat milk, and dark chocolate that doesn’t contain milk solids.

4. Spiced Apple Cider

If you prefer something lighter and non-alcoholic, spiced apple cider is a great choice. This drink is packed with the flavours of cinnamon, cloves, and apples, making it a wonderful alternative to mulled wine.

Ingredients:

1 litre apple juice or cider

1 orange, sliced

2 cinnamon sticks

5 cloves

2 star anise

1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional)

A pinch of ground ginger or allspice

Method:

In a large saucepan, combine the apple juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.

Gently simmer over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse.

Stir in honey or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter drink, and add a pinch of ginger or allspice for extra warmth.

Strain the spices and orange slices before serving.

Serve warm in mugs, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise.

Pro tip: You can easily spike this drink with a shot of rum or brandy for an adult version.

5. Gingerbread Latte

A gingerbread latte is a warming treat that combines the rich flavours of coffee with the spices of gingerbread – perfect for a festive morning or as a cosy afternoon pick-me-up.

Ingredients:

1 shot of espresso (or strong coffee)

250ml milk (or dairy-free alternative)

1 tablespoon gingerbread syrup (you can buy this or make your own)

A pinch of ground cinnamon and ginger

Whipped cream (optional)

A gingerbread biscuit (for garnish)

Method:

Heat the milk in a saucepan or use a milk frother until steaming.

Add the gingerbread syrup and a pinch of cinnamon and ginger to the milk, stirring to combine.

Pour the espresso into a mug, then add the spiced milk mixture.

Top with whipped cream and garnish with a gingerbread biscuit on the side.

Pro tip: To make your own gingerbread syrup, simmer 100g brown sugar, 100ml water, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for 5-10 minutes until thickened.

Whether you're hosting a Christmas gathering or simply enjoying a cosy night in by the fire, these festive drinks are sure to warm your heart and lift your spirits. Cheers to a warm and merry Christmas!